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Proximity and Questions
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Situation
What do I do when my student keeps her head in her desk playing when I’m teaching and the class is doing a worksheet? She won’t answer me when I correct her.
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Summary
Continue to teach. Slowly walk around the room closer to her desk. Then ask a question such as “_____, which one do you think would be the easiest on this page?” When she answers the question continue with one or more questions related to the task.
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Definition
Standing in close proximity to a student who may be off-task, (not working, talking, playing with items in desk) and asking one or more questions regarding the task WITHOUT bringing attention to the behavior and WITHOUT giving a direction regarding the behavior.
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Quick Facts
- Child's Age: 6-10, 11-13, 14-17
- Planning Effort: Low
- Difficulty Level: Easy
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Pre-requisites
none
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Process
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Move closer to a student who is having a hard time staying focused, DO NOT bring attention to him, simply point, or ask a question such as, “How are you doing with this, any questions?” ; “which one do you think is the easiest on this page?” DO NOT give directions related to the off-task behavior.
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Just proximity and questions can refocus a student.
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Documents and Related Resources
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